Metro Life Flight - Non-injury incident

Date: Oct 30, 2009 2206 

Program: Metro Life Flight
	2500 MetroHealth Dr.
	Cleveland, OH 44109

Type: Sikorsky S-76
Tail #: N761MH
Operator/Vendor: Metro Aviation, Inc

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

Team: Two pilots, Flight Physician, Flight Nurse . No injuries reported. No patient. 

Description: 
	After completing a mission, while en route back to base, the crew
	noticed a burning smell accompanied by light smoke.  This smoke was
	immediately followed by a series of caution advisories involving the
	transmission and servo systems, along with noises and vibrations.  The
	pilots conducted an emergency landing to a large open field.  Position
	reports and the safe landing were communicated to Metro Flight
	Communications Office.  The approach and run on landing were
	uneventful and the crew exited the aircraft without injury.  Post
	landing, smoke and fire were noted through the #1 engine intake.  The
	crew responded with onboard and portable fire extinguishers, quickly
	extinguishing the fire.

Additional Info: 
	The local fire department was able to quickly respond and locate the
	crew and aircraft due to ongoing communication of location and
	situation between the Pilot Not Flying and the Flight Communications
	Office.  The crew also attributed the successful outcome to shift
	briefing practices, prior simulator training, and effective crew
	resource management.  The aircraft was relocated to the maintenance
	base and is undergoing inspection by the company, manufacturer and FAA
	representatives.

Source: Betty Kovach, Program Director

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programs when an accident / incident has occurred. Please share the above
information with your program staff. If you have further questions, please
contact the CONCERN Coordinator, David Kearns at 800 525 3712 or email:
coordinator@concern-network.org.

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